Celtic begin their defence of the SPL title at home to Aberdeen on August 4.

Meanwhile Rangers - as things stand - must wait until August 11 to kick-off their new life in the Third Division of the SFL with a trip to Peterhead.

Just another season? Nothing could be further from the truth.

Fan power has ordained that the newco Rangers should start from scratch in the bottom tier of the professional game rather than take the parachute preferred by the blazers and enjoy a soft landing in the SFL's First Division.

A decision has been taken in the ­interests of "sporting integrity" and it's one everyone must now respect.

But let's not pretend this victory for ­fairness comes without a considerable price in pounds, shillings and pence.

And fans everywhere must accept that with their new-found power comes a great responsibility for the future of the game they love.

It's time for supporters to stand up and be counted.

Or, more precisely in this age of all-seater grounds, to sit down and be counted.

It's time for armchair fans to stop just shouting at the TV and to get out, buy a season ticket or even just go and see the odd game.

Get the programme, get a new scarf and treat yourself to a cup of Bovril and a ­half-time pie while you're at it.

If more fans don't do that, Scottish ­football really will be in trouble.

If you love football, it shouldn't be too much of a hardship.

The Scottish game rarely fails to excite or surprise, and it will do so without the diet of regular Old Firm clashes.

Scottish football is many things but dull is not one of them.

It may seem unfair that the fans have to bail out their own sport, unlike the taxpayer billions lavished on the banks, but football is the people's game and no one else will save it.

And while ordinary fans go about keeping our national game going, First Minister Alex Salmond can call up his old mucker Rupert Murdoch and make sure his company doesn't pull the plug on the Sky telly deal.

Football fans all have favoured and ­treasured football memories.

For the fans of the 11 clubs confirmed as playing in our top flight this coming season, we have printed some reminders to whet your appetite for the season ahead.

If fans want to savour moments like those again, now is the time to do ­something about it.